With great regret we have to announce today the cancellation of the 2017 Genghis Khan MTB Adventure and Grassland Marathon in Xiwuqi. The local government in Xiwuqi informed us that they cannot authorise the event for environmental and social reasons: the Xilingol area is experiencing a drought this year and the lack of rainfall has made the grasslands extremely vulnerable to desertification, which for farming communities such as Xiwuqi would be catastrophic. Therefore, all events, including even the Mongolian Nadamu ethnic holiday Festival next week, have been cancelled.

Ranking, which means excellence, is the largest helmet brand in Taiwan. Established in 1979, Ranking is an international company with nearly 30 agencies in the world and 400 distributors on the Chinese mainland and its products are sold around the world.

With the upcoming 11th edition of Genghis Khan MTB Adventure, the jersey sponsor, Hangzhou Lambda will bring for everyone new souvenir jerseys—different designs for MTB Adventure and KOG participants, using imported fabrics to make cycling comfortable.

The 11th edition of the Genghis Khan MTB Adventure will undergo a bit of a facelift as all three stages will benefit from a partial to substantial new course design. The total distance increases to 215 km and the longest 103 km stage takes place on Friday as Stage 1.

We are delighted to announce that Naqi Skin Care Innovators continues to support the Genghis Khan Festival also this summer. Naqiis a renowned Belgian brand, with Chinese bases in Shanghai and Guangzhou, producing quality care products for athletes.

What will they do when top outdoor brands, one from France and the other from Finland, meet with our Grassland Extreme Marathon? Salomon and Suunto are partners of this year's event and we are indeed proud and happy to have them on board!

Ran Qian, a famous trail runner in southwest China, has achieved to finish several Ultra-trail 50 and 100 races. While not experienced in cycling, she competed in the Queen of the Grasslands (KOG) competition for the first time at GKF last year. With cramming for 80-km-riding before GKF, she win the 6th place finally. Fantastic!